Grantee Research Project Results
Final Report: Smoothing the Peaks: Smart Outlets to Reduce Brownouts on Micro-hydroelectric Minigrids in Bhutan
EPA Grant Number: SU834332Title: Smoothing the Peaks: Smart Outlets to Reduce Brownouts on Micro-hydroelectric Minigrids in Bhutan
Investigators: Jacobson, Arne E. , Dorji, Chhimi , Apple, James , Robinson, James , Tracy, Jenny , Hiller, Joey , Harper, Meg , Chase, Nathan , Lehman, Peter
Institution: Humboldt State University
EPA Project Officer: Page, Angela
Phase: I
Project Period: August 15, 2009 through August 14, 2010
Project Amount: $10,000
RFA: P3 Awards: A National Student Design Competition for Sustainability Focusing on People, Prosperity and the Planet (2009) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Pollution Prevention/Sustainable Development , P3 Challenge Area - Air Quality , P3 Awards , Sustainable and Healthy Communities
Objective:
Village scale micro-hydroelectric systems in countries like Bhutan, Thailand, Peru, Laos and China provide renewable electricity to thousands of self-reliant communities in remote locations. While promising, many of these systems are plagued by a common problem: brownouts occur frequently in the mornings and evenings during times of peak demand. In Bhutan and many other countries, these brownouts have been linked to the use of electrical appliances such as rice cookers and water boilers. If demand could be distributed more evenly throughout the day, these systems could provide reliable, long-term renewable electricity to these communities.
The objective of this project is to develop a low-cost device that employs Smart Grid technology to encourage electricity users to shift their use of high-powered appliances to periods of low demand. During Phase I of the project, we developed a “GridShare” to reduce the use of large appliances during brownouts. The GridShare device is designed to be installed near the electrical meter on every house. GridShare technology encourages load shifting in two ways: by indicating the state of the grid to the user and by preventing residents from using large appliances during brownouts. During Phase I, we successfully designed, built, and tested GridShare prototypes.
The goal of the Phase II project is to implement GridShare technology in the village of Rukubji, Bhutan in collaboration with local villagers, the Bhutan Power Corporation (BPC), and the Department of Energy (DOE) of Bhutan. Representatives from the village of Rukubji, BPC, and the DOE of Bhutan have expressed support for the project due to its potential to improve the level of service provided by the local electrical grid, which is powered by a single 40-kW microhydroelectric generator. The project will evaluate the potential of the GridShare technology to reduce or eliminate brownouts in village scale renewable energy systems. If successful, GridShare technology has the potential to increase the viability of renewable energy mini-grids in thousands of communities worldwide.
Summary/Accomplishments (Outputs/Outcomes):
The GridShare device implements Smart Grid logic to control the power supply to an electrical outlet and meets all of the criteria specified in our team’s Phase I proposal. The low cost device can be built from materials that cost less than $20 per unit, and costs could be even lower if the devices were produced in larger quantities. The GridShare device monitors the voltage of the grid and the current drawn through all electrical outlets of the house or business to determine whether a brownout is present and whether a large appliance is in use. The status of the grid is indicated by LED indicator lights near the outlet. If a brownout begins while a large appliance is in use, the GridShare device allows current to be drawn for one hour before switching into power-limited mode. If a large appliance is not in use when the brownout begins, the GridShare device switches into power-limited mode immediately. The GridShare device continues to operate in power-limited mode until the voltage of the grid exceeds a programmable set point for fifteen minutes (tentatively set at 200 volts to match Rukubji’s 230 VAC mini-grid), indicating the end of the brownout.
GridShare technology uses Smart Grid logic, written in the C programming language, which is programmed onto a Microchip PIC16F506 microcontroller. The microcontroller controls the LED indicator lights and the electrical outlet according to the voltage of the grid and the current drawn by the appliance. The microcontroller may be reprogrammed by a computer to implement improved logic without the need for hardware upgrades. The GridShare device functions properly on an Asian/European grid of 230 volts at 50 hertz, simulated by a frequency converter with a variable transformer. The GridShare device has been tested successfully with a wide variety of appliances during both brownout and power surge conditions, with grid voltages ranging from 180 to 260 volts. The GridShare has successfully used Smart Grid logic to indicate the state of the grid and prevent the use of large appliances during simulated brownouts.
Conclusions:
A GridShare device, using Smart Grid technology, was successfully developed, prototyped, and bench tested. The GridShare device was designed with a reprogrammable microcontroller to be adaptable for mini-grid management around the world. A pilot project location for installation of GridShare technology was identified and a site visit was conducted. The need for the project and support for a pilot project were expressed by the community of Rukubji Village in Bhutan, as well as the DOE Bhutan and the BPC. The interest expressed by our partners in Bhutan
Supplemental Keywords:
micro-hydroelectricity, renewable energy, sustainable economic development, Bhutan, brownouts, mini-grid electric systemsRelevant Websites:
P3 Phase II:
Smoothing the Peaks: GridShare Smart Grid Technology to Reduce Brownouts on Micro-hydroelectric Mini-grids in Bhutan | 2011 Progress ReportThe perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.